VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A man accused of stealing more than $285,000 from his church in Virginia Beach was in court Thursday.

Documents say Kenneth Montgomery allegedly obtained the funds by forging checks from First Baptist Church, located at 401 35th St.

The paperwork says the crimes happened between June 2023 and May 2024. The church accountant reportedly discovered more than a dozen checks not approved by the church that were made out to Montgomery's construction company.

Police arrested Montgomery in November 2024. He faces ten charges related to the case now. Dozens of other charges were set aside in court Thursday morning. He was originally facing 55 charges.

Montgomery waived his preliminary hearing.

First Baptist Church has since closed. The building now houses a differe

See Full Page